S.F. cop injured in domestic violence melee

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A San Francisco police officer was injured Tuesday night while trying to break up a domestic violence incident involving a husband and wife in the Russian Hill neighborhood, officials said.

Two officers came upon the arguing couple around 10:30 p.m. near Vallejo and Powell streets, police said.

Numerous witnesses also called police about the incident, saying the husband, later identified as 45-year-old Eric Smith of San Francisco, was acting “irate and crazy,” said Sgt. Danielle Newman, a police spokeswoman.

When the officers tried to diffuse the situation, Smith did not comply, Newman said. Then, while Smith was being cuffed, the wife, whom police did not name, reportedly grabbed one of the officers.

One officer’s hand and arm then got pinned under Smith in the ensuing melee, prompting several other police to jump in and help.

Smith was arrested on suspicion of felony resisting arrest and misdemeanor domestic violence.

The woman was cited on suspicion of two misdemeanor counts of interfering with an officer, and released at the scene.

The injured officer was taken to the hospital with a swollen arm and hand. Authorities were awaiting X-ray results to see if he had any broken bones.